Ronald Ross and the problem of malaria

Abstract

One hundred years ago this month Ronald Ross solved the malaria problem. After two years of at times dark, dark despair but determined effort, he identified the developing malaria parasite in the gut wall of the mosquito, bringing his sacred passion to a successful conclusion. At the same time, Ross opened a new chapter in the fight against malaria, which continues today. In this article, Paul Hagan and Virendra Chauhan describe Ross' career and some of the background leading to the monumental discovery and consider the immediate and longer-term impact of Ross' findings.